Students handle WorldQuest trivia

By Raul Dominguez Jr., Contributing Writer

Published 3:59 pm, Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A set of teens were sitting around a table, talking, laughing, and just enjoying the day. They weren't talking about the latest meme, but it seemed like lighthearted banter, given the casualness of the conversation.

No, the students were discussing which Goal 7 target is on track to be achieved if current trends continue, according to the United Nations' MDG fact sheet for “Goal 7: Ensuring Environmental Stability.”

And they were having a blast doing so.

About 140 students participated in the San Antonio Regional Competition for the 2013 Academic WorldQuest, a trivia contest that tests students' knowledge of world affairs, current events, geography and economics.

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“Everything that happens in the world has significance to us locally, and I think they get it,” Academic WorldQuest chairwoman Debbie Shaffer said.

Rackspace Hosting in Windcrest hosted the competition Friday at its new event center. A global IT hosting company, Rackspace knows the importance of global awareness and knowledge and is eager to foster that development in the city's youth.

“We believe in supporting our local communities and this is a great way to do it,” Rackspace chief security officer John Lionato said. “The second reason is we do believe these students possess the talents we need to continue our success.

“Truthfully, it's a whole lot of fun.”

Keystone three-peated, besting 37 other local teams to advance to the National Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C. Communications Arts High School finished second, Keystone's second team placed third and Reagan was fourth.

Per WorldQuest policy, contestants were not available for comment due to their age.

Keystone WorldQuest advisor Raymond Boryczka said he was nervous, but his students assured him the winning streak would remain intact.

“It's because of the diligence of the students,” Boryczka said. “Our team started in August to prepare for this. The kids are very dedicated. They are very intelligent. They love foreign affairs and domestic affairs. They just love all the social sciences. And they do extremely well at it.”

The poise wasn't limited to Keystone. Rackspace's event center was filled with laughter, even as the questions grew harder.

Lionato joked he could answer only one of the 50 questions asked during the opening round, and he wasn't the only adult observer stumped by the competition.

“I think back to when I was in high school and I realize how far we've come,” Lionato said. “It's not just the level of intelligence; it's the level of poise they show. Their confidence is really inspiring.”

Having the event at Rackspace made perfect sense. The two-story slide inside the San Antonio campus was a draw, but the company itself was the biggest attraction to students.

“Rackspace is role models for kids. It's about potential and possibility. And that's what is so exciting. The whole point is getting our kids involved with being a global citizen and (Rackspace) is a global company. It lets our kids see an actual company in San Antonio that is globally involved,” Severe added.

The students know how important global affairs are, and that's why they were aware the Goal 7 target of halving the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015 is on track.